Kidnapped
Robert Louis Stevenson
Kidnapped
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Louis Stevenson
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
David Balfour is no ordinary boy—he’s thrown into a world of shipwrecks, daring escapes, and mysterious plots that will test his courage like never before. Every twist and turn pulls him deeper into an adventure where danger lurks at every wave. What will he do when his very life is at stake?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic adventure novel suitable for children ages 9-12. It follows David Balfour as he navigates perilous challenges including shipwreck, murder, and escape, offering a thrilling introduction to classic literature with themes of bravery and resilience. Parents should note the story involves moderate suspense and peril but is appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Kidnapped 11MP
Kidnapped is written at a Level 6 reading level across 292 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Kidnapped works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Kidnapped as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Kidnapped explores adventure, classics, coming of age, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, classics, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781417609680
- Pages
- 292
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- May 2000
- Type
- Fiction